HELLO TAITUNG｜2-1｜Having fun in Taitung

Have Fun, Do Good

By Simon Foster

Welcome to the 3rd edition of Hello Taitung and my first time as managing editor! I’d like to start by thanking Cheryl and the editorial team for bringing me up to speed, and to all of the contributing authors for sharing their stories. The purpose of the magazine is to provide information about life and things to do in Taitung, both for visitors and prospective residents. Since writing an article for the 2nd edition of the magazine, I have received many positive comments, including from people who are in the process of relocating here, and hope that the magazine has been some help in that transition, but would also value feedback so that we can continue to make the publication as useful, informative and interesting as possible.

The theme of the 3rd edition is “having fun in Taitung.” Living in a developed country in a modern world, we have to come to expect the basic necessities of life such as food, water, education, and healthcare, although this isn’t the case for everyone. We also hope to enjoy our lives, having fun, laughing, and seizing life’s small pleasures are an important part of this. A dictionary definition of having fun is “the feeling of enjoying yourself, doing activities that you enjoy, that make you happy.” As a kid, I had fun with my family, but then as a young adult, I sought out my own version of enjoyment. Now with kids of our own, family fun has once again moved to the top of the list. We love Taitung’s simple pleasures—time at the beach making sand turtles, finding hermit crabs, swimming, snorkeling, bike rides in the Rift Valley, scootering at

19 years in Taiwan

Managing Editor at Hello Taitung

Guidebook author, travel business director, and bakery owner

Sunset on Jiaming Lake National Trail

Heading for Jiaming Lake at Sunrise

First Glimpse of Jiaming Lake

Happy to have reached Jiaming Lake

Sanxiantai, or just playing badminton in our garden overlooking the ocean.

Laughter and tears, pleasure and pain, happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin, and if we didn’t have one, we wouldn’t have the other. This notion is central to the “have fun do good” charity adventures we organize for an international airline. Whether riding local gearless bikes through the Indian desert or Cambodian jungle, trekking the Great Wall and Tiger Leaping Gorge in China, or cycling in Taiwan’s impossibly steep mountains, adventurers will test themselves physically, and therefore mentally, but will also be helping others through fundraising simultaneously, and as such, ultimately helping themselves by overcoming obstacles. The doing good bit is driving yourself to get up that hill, using the knowledge that it will help those in need, to motivate you, the have fun bit is the downhill after the hard work, and then enjoying shared experiences with fellow riders or hikers over dinner and drinks before getting ready to do it all over again next day!

Whilst the source of enjoyment and fun might change during the course of our lives, there are also some constants, and for me, one of those would be hiking in the great outdoors. I did my first long hike at age 12 when I completed the 65km historic Lyke Wake Walk in Yorkshire in England in 15 hours. Since then,

I have hiked in the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Andes, the Himalayas, and of course Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range. My most recent hike here was to Taitung’s very own Jiaming Lake, a small but perfectly formed lake perched at 3310m above sea level. As always, at points on the steep ascents with my heavy pack I questioned why I do this, but then you get to the next (often false) summit and are rewarded with another spectacular view and it all makes sense. Not everyone’s definition of fun, but every bit as exhilarating for me now approaching 50 as it was when I was 12!

Virgin Atlantic Have Fun Do Good Taiwan

Family in the Gorge

Having Fun in Taitung

In this edition, we explore the theme of fun, what it means to different people, and how they choose to have fun. Taitung is known for its unbelievably beautiful and incredibly diverse scenery—from the world’s largest ocean to 3000m+ mountains—so it is of little surprise that many people who choose to live here take to the wilds for fun. Originally from the Philippines, Janet heads to the vibrant colors of Lisong Hot Springs and then has some more relaxed fun at the East Coast Land Arts Festival. Nigel, who was born on the Caribbean island of Curacao, discovers the magical kingdom under the sea from Orchid Island, and river traces to Lulu Hot Springs, but also seeks out cultural fun in the shape of the Bombing of Master Handan. Zeke grew up in California and was originally drawn here by the surf, but stayed for the family fun. Perhaps most surprisingly, Max, also from the US, came here to teach English; but found that the most fun came from bringing joy (and opportunities) to others.

A fun-loving person can probably have fun anywhere, but Taitung makes it easy—the hard part is choosing what to do next!

Making Education Enjoyable in Taitung

Fun at School?!

By Max Dill

From New Jersey, US 5 years in Taiwan English teacher at Ebenezer After School Program in Taitung

Beinan

Five years ago, I arrived at Zhiben train station just days after one of the biggest typhoons in years. The air carried the smell of rain, and a summerlike heat lingered even as the mid-October sunset. I stepped off the train with an odd sort of emptiness about me. Twenty-something and lost, full of curiosity, and searching for new horizons!

to provide indigenous students in Taitung with a decent pathway through life. She offered me the opportunity to teach English at an after-school program in Taitung. At first, I was hesitant. Teaching English in the heat? At a church? Surrounded by farmland? It didn’t sound very enticing, but my PS4 was sick of me and my parents wanted their empty nest back.

So there I was, the only foreigner in the village with little knowledge of the rich indigenous cultures set amidst the mountains, plains, and coasts of Taitung. I spent the first months struggling to communicate, trying to find my place within the program. Established 20 years ago by a pastor from Kaohsiung, the Ebenezer After School Program provides supplementary education, homework help, dinners, and music and art classes. In Taitung’s indigenous villages, education is not a high priority for many families and as a result, students struggle to keep up with their studies and sometimes drop out before completing school. The program aims to provide the students with a positive environment where they can acquire the tools needed to build a better life, and ultimately somewhere to go that doesn’t ever let them forget that love is real.

Learning can be Fun!

In the beginning, I only had classes with teenagers that could barely write their ABCs, but I wanted to teach the elementary kids. Maybe I could help them build a foundation of basic English so that when they reached junior high school they wouldn’t be like their struggling older peers. Maybe they could keep up with their English classes and get decent grades. Maybe they could even communicate in English and use it as a vehicle for exploring the endless wonders that the world has to offer.

A mutual friend in the US, Ms. Chen, was a Taiwanese national who had recently returned home, determined

However, not everyone thought English was important; and worried that the language classes would impact time doing homework. And my teaching style was described as “childish.” How could anyone learn by playing games? Why should a classroom be fun?

A conventional English class in a public school consists of a teacher translating everything and asking students to memorize it all, which can lead to students being unable to pronounce the words or apply them to real-life conversations. Students make little progress and the idea that English is boring and difficult is perpetuated. A language classroom should be interactive, with risk-taking rewarded and laughter encouraged. We played tic-tac-toe with scrambled up words, Jenga with numbers and colors, red light-green light, and a multitude of other fun games which brought a little joy to the classroom, and simultaneously promoted learning.

When the next semester came, I secured a few more students. As before, they were motivated to finish their homework and came out of my classroom having made noticeable progress. When exams came, their improvement was clear to see. Soon, I was given a class schedule with time allotted to teach the majority of our students. Now, we don’t need to question whether they’ll pass their English tests. And we all have fun!

Fun Outside of the Classroom

I’ve been able to take the fun beyond the classroom, too. We’ve been in the kitchen making desserts, rolling out the dough for pizzas, and even cooking Mexican food, not only to introduce the kids to new flavors and vocabulary; but also because I miss my mom’s meals! The church’s instruments don’t go untouched either—as an avid musician I hope to pass some of that onto the kids as well. Before the pandemic hit and restrictions were introduce, we were able to take the kids out for day trips a few times a year. We couldn’t travel far afield during the pandemic, but we were able to enjoy the great outdoors in Taitung’s very own Forest Park. We rented bikes and rode the cycle path through the greenery down to Taitung Seashore Park. Once there, we did a beach clean-up and then enjoyed a well-deserved ice cream before riding back. I also built a sandcastle which the kids had lots of fun knocking down!

Making learning fun

Preparing dinner for students

Making pizza is fun

With limited funds and transportation, another great trip we did was to the movies. Taitung has recently gone through a lot of development and it was only in the last few years that the Showtime movie theater opened. So whilst you might think that sounds like a simple trip, for these kids it was the definition of fun!

Of course, living in Taitung, I also like to get out and explore by myself. When the sun is out and the heat is overwhelming, my first thought is to go to the beach, but with so many choices nearby I sometimes head to the Rift Valley. Surrounded by rice paddies and nestled between the Coastal and Central Mountain Range, Chishang is famous for its beauty (and quality agricultural produce). Here the heat won't get the best of you as the valley is known for its strong summer winds. You can rent a bike to ride out through the flat paddies, visiting the iconic Brown Avenue, Takeshi Kaneshiro tree, or even go on a safari looking for hippos and zebras... My students told me about the

zebras and I thought they were joking until I actually stumbled upon them! In cooperation with Muzha Zoo in Taipei, Chishang Pastoral Resort is home to a small collection of exotic animals; and is free to visit.

I hope my time with the students of the Ebenezer After School Program has been as enriching and fun for them as it has been for me. I arrived a bit aimless, not sure if this was the right fit for me, and looking forward to time off, but little did I know how quickly that would change. During a trip to Singapore, I found myself counting down the days until I could return to the village and be with my students again. They make every day better than the last and remind me that hope is abundant regardless of one’s likely trajectory. As well as access to education, we all deserve to have fun, and if those two things can be combined, all the better!

Rift Valley Cycling

Happy to work with lovely colleagues

Photo By Simon Foster

Island Boy

By Nigel Krauss

Iwas born on the beautiful Caribbean island of Curaçao. It’s a small island maybe 60 miles north of Venezuela, so I was an island boy long before I came to Taiwan! I came to Taitung in 2016 and soon met Federico, my future business partner at Dulan Cape Café. After only a month I was in love with Dulan, and, as they say, the rest is history!

From Holland, but born in Curacao.

6 years in Taiwan

Cape Café Co-owner

River Tracing & Snorkelling

Dulan

Fun Under the Sea

Coming from a small island, it’s only natural that my instinct is to seek out more fun, small islands, of which Taitung has two, Green Island and Orchid Island. I took the chance to go to the latter when we had some friends over. Set 65km off the south-eastern coast of Taiwan, Orchid Island is everything a tiny tropical island paradise should be—remote, exotic, beautiful, and exciting. Even the journey there, whether by small plane or ferry, is an adventure! On arrival, we searched for a local B&B and then spent the next two nights and three days on the island.

Orchid Island is famous for diving on its untouched deep coral reefs, but as we discovered, it is also very good for snorkeling. We gathered our snorkeling gear, changed, and then jumped into this amazing world beneath the waves. We found some very cool reef chambers full of fish and marine life including sea urchins, sea snakes, Nemo (clown) fish, sea anemones, and even a barracuda! The reef was made up of a huge range of colorful corals, and best of all, we saw a huge turtle, seemingly unperturbed by our presence, which allowed us to get really close! After getting out of the water we were exhilarated but hungry and found a cozy place for lunch just down the road.

On beaches all over the island, we saw the Tao’s iconic handmade and intricately painted fishing boats, with their distinctive upturned bow and stern. Life for the local Tao people continues to revolve around the annual cycle of catching and preserving flying fish, and

battling the black tide to put food on the table. This said, these days cultural and marine tourism play an increasingly significant role, both economically, and as a mode of protecting this isolated and unique culture.

Orchid Island also has plenty of fun to be enjoyed on land. Renting a scooter to ride around the island is a must and presents gorgeous coastal and mountain views. The steep road that cuts across the island passes the weather station, with magnificent vistas, and one of the Japanese-era buildings here is still riddled with WWII bullet holes! Whilst many Tao now live in aboveground concrete houses, descending to Yeyin village on the island’s east coast you will see plenty of traditional sunken pit houses, well-suited to the strong winds and storms that whip across this tropical Pacific island. If you’re interested in getting a closer look at one of these houses, ask at your hotel and they will probably be able to arrange a local guide.

Scootering around the island seemed to present new fun opportunities at every turn. We spent the afternoon there with some cold beers to watch the sunset behind the mountains, which made a refreshing change from only seeing the sunrise back in Taitung!

Fun-Fun at Lulu!

I like to do different activities with different friends, so another time we headed deep into the mountains bound for Lulu Hot Springs. The trailhead is accessed from Highway 20, the Southern Cross, which forges its

Yeyin Semi-Underground House

way across the Central Mountain Range from Haiduan, and recently re-opened after over a decade of closure following damage wreaked by Typhoon Morakot.

To access the springs, you can either hike or river trace, the latter of which sounded like more fun, so that’s what we did! It is strongly recommended to do this with professionals for the first time, so we went with an experienced guide. We got some river tracing kit, geared up, and set off. A few hours and several waterfalls later we reached the springs where we could relax in the lovely warm pools, or cool off in the icy blue river, surrounded by the beauty of the gorge’s orange walls and overhanging greenery. And we had the whole place to ourselves! There were three waterfalls at different stages along the route so on the way back we got to jump down these which was a good adrenaline rush, but is only advisable under the supervision of professionals—safety first!

Double Lion Rock

Drying flying fish

Firecracker Fun

You could spend months exploring Taitung’s wild backcountry, but the towns and cities also have their appeal, plus there’s a wide variety of events and festivals to attend, the most outrageous of which is known as the Bombing of Master Handan. It always begins on the 15th day of the first lunar month, at the start of the Lantern Festival. As a kid you were probably told to stay away from fireworks, well this is the 180-degree opposite! In this festival, brave young men test their mettle as they are paraded atop a throne and bombarded by thousands of firecrackers. The volunteers wear only shorts, a hat, goggles, and a damp towel to protect their faces, plus branches of a banyan tree that they hold in front of themselves. You might ask how such a tradition began and what inspires people to volunteer, there is a folktale: apparently General Zhao Gongming (趙公元帥) , a Shang dynasty

general, later enshrined as the Military God of Wealth, disliked the cold, so people would throw firecrackers at him during his inspection visits to keep him warm! As for why people volunteer, it is a way of (usually) young men showing their courage; and is believed to bring prosperity to them and their families. Whilst there are Bombing Master Handan celebrations in a variety of locations throughout Taitung, the biggest is at Xuanwu Temple, established in 1989. This is a unique cultural event that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the world.

So as you can see, never a dull moment in Taitung! Whether exploring the treasures of the Pacific Ocean that defines the county or watching brave young men being bombarded with firecrackers, it’s fun all the way and I can’t wait to head out on my next fun adventure!

Wonderful blue sky and the ocean!

Orchid Island Traditional Tao Boats

Hot Springs & Festivals

Wow Taitung!

By Janet Amoranto Cheng From the Philippines

2016 was the year when I fell in love twice... First was when I met a (Taiwanese) man, with whom I felt a deep connection. He visited me almost every month in my home country, the Philippines, but before the year ended, I flew to Taiwan to meet his family and travel and and that’s when I fell in love again!

My then-boyfriend (now husband), Will, wanted me to see the place where he grew up with his grandmother so he took me there for a vacation. Having grown up in the city, I thought it was going to be a dull, uninteresting trip in the countryside of Taiwan, but I was wrong. This land lies between the gorgeous mountains and the blue ocean. The people are warm and friendly. The air is fresh with nothing but the smell of salt water, soil, trees, and flowers. The environment brought me an inner peace that I've never felt before. It was love at first sight. This tropical paradise that I fell in love with is called Taitung.

Moving to Taiwan and Having a Business in Taitung

Never in my life had I dreamed or imagined of moving to Taiwan, but meeting my husband and seeing Taiwan changed my plans entirely. If you’d asked my younger self, my dream was to work as a nurse internationally and aim high in that specific profession. My parents emigrated to the US and I had just passed the exams as a UK nurse, but wait what happened?! I chose ‘love’ over ‘career.’ Yes! I know some people would say I'm crazy but it was the best decision I ever made!

After getting married, we lived with my parents-inlaw in Kaohsiung but we promised ourselves to move to Taitung. We had no idea what to do for a living as I couldn’t speak any Mandarin then (the only word I knew was ‘xiexie’), but it didn't take long to find an extraordinary opportunity.

Will and I both love cooking and baking, particularly Western food. In 2017 we moved to Taitung and had training with an Italian chef on how to make traditional pizza and Italian food, and the following year we officially owned "A Mano Pizza,” an Italian restaurant

in Dulan. In Italian "A Mano" means "by hand.” As per the name, we hand make authentic Italian food. Imagine, from being a nurse to teaching English, and now owns a restaurant in the most charming place in Taiwan! What a crazy-fantastic couple of years I had! Will and I both had different backgrounds and it was our first time having a business, so we were both scared, but at the same time ecstatic. Many people admired our courage for this big decision, giving up the life and career we were accustomed to and moving to Taitung with nothing but ourselves.

Having Fun in Taitung

Taitung is the perfect place for work-life balance. It gave me the best experiences and adventures in my life. There are numerous reasons to live here and several ways to have fun, not only for singles and couples but also for families and even pet lovers!

Can you imagine waking up to a stunning beach sunrise and ending your day seeing the beautiful night sky filled with stars? What about just walking to the beach and swimming anytime you want? Or spending a day hiking to a waterfall or river tracing? The list goes on and on! I have plenty to share but there's this one extraordinary and memorable experience that I would like to highlight.

Sometime one summer, Will and I, together with our restaurant work-exchange helpers from Japan and Canada, decided to go on an adventure to a hidden wild hot spring, Lisong Hot Springs. I've been to other wild

Special Feature

hot springs in Taiwan but Lisong is the most stunning and unique I've ever seen. Its exquisite beauty and the experience it gives you is something I never expected and never had anywhere else in Taiwan. You see plenty of photos of it on Google but these are nothing compared to the reality. The hike begins with a descent that includes rappelling, then crossing the river/cold spring and climbing huge rocks, followed by swimming to get to the other side where the hot spring is. This is all part of the fun and the effort and exhaustion are worth it once you reach the hot springs and soak in the hot water—all the while admiring the beauty around you, staring at the gorgeous colored rock wall that looks surreal, and listening to the melody of nature. You can stay here overnight but if you decide to go back on the same day, you should start to hike back up before it gets dark.

If you'd prefer a less physically challenging adventure (or if you have kids that are too young for this), there are other options for you. Hongye Hot Springs is also a natural hot spring next to a cold spring and is very

accessible and close to the road. An easy hike along the Malalou Trail towards Xingang Falls is also great for a family, and you can bring your pets, too! Why would you pay for a resort if you can have all these for free and in a more enjoyable way? Now if hiking isn't your thing, there are several other activities you can do, too, such as cycling, swimming, bodyboarding, camping, surfing, sailing, SUP, or snorkeling—name any outdoor activity, Taitung has it!

Apart from the recreational activities that I’ve mentioned, Taitung is also rich in social and cultural events. For instance, the East Coast Land Arts Festival is held annually in summer and allows you to satisfy your palate with different kinds of food (prepared by locals and foreigners in Taitung) whilst watching a live concert under the full moon—something you should go to at least once in your summer stay in Taitung. Another one is the Taiwan International Balloon Festival. Some camp here overnight to be the first ones to ride the balloon as the rides are limited, or if you want to release your artistic creativity, you can make a

Lisong Hot Spring

Hiked in Mt. Dulan and reached the peak

hot air balloon lantern (they provide all the materials), later to be displayed in public parks in Taitung City. These are just a few of my favorites of the many events you can attend in Taitung County.

Do residents of Taitung ever get tired of living here? Definitely

not!

socially active way. If you think alike, Taitung is the best place to be.

Some people we know (outside Taitung) said we are too young to enjoy countryside living and that the younger generation usually prefers the city life, but moving back to the city never crossed my mind in the (almost) 5 years of living here. I envision my son growing up to love and value nature, play sports, know different cultures, and learn how to have fun in a physically and Facebook Instagram

Relaxing time with friends in Luye Highland

Family Fun

Home from Home

By Zeke Peacock

Born in California, moved to Canada at the age of 5

19 years in Taiwan, the last 11 in Duli, Taitung

Chef and owner of Z Paella

Previously the owner of “General Panchos,” Kaohsiung

Mechanical engineer & commercial pilot

Duli

My story is interesting but not unrealistic nor unobtainable. I was lucky enough to meet my beautiful and smart Taiwanese wife Erika only three months after arriving on the shores of Taiwan back in 2003. I thought that I was here for a visit but destiny had other plans! Fast forward 19 years and we have lived in Taitung for the last 11 years, since the birth of our first boy when we bought a farmhouse in Duli. We are now the proud parents of 2 boys, along with 5 dogs, 3 cats, and 19 chickens! The fun comes in many shapes

and forms but for me, the essence of it is choosing a lifestyle that enables you to enjoy life’s small pleasures, whether that’s surfing, a BBQ with family and friends, or just uncovering how many eggs the hens have laid!

Home from Home

I recently landed back in Taitung after a month-long visit to Hamilton, Ontario in Canada, my second hometown. My original hometown was Leucadia, California with its sunny beaches and warm weather, and the love of the ocean never really left me. When I was born in California, my mom and brothers would take us to the beach to play in the sand and swim in the cool waters. My two half-brothers were ten years older and they would surf and we would sometimes spend all day at the beach having fun. Our family moved to Hamilton when I was 5 and thus began the transition into cold winters, the excitement of snowmen and snowball fights, and the seasonal changes of which I have become quite fond.

Every foreigner knows the culture shock of returning “home” after a long time away, walking through those places you remember from your youth, the cold, clean, dry air, and familiar family and faces that bring back memories. I miss the snowy winters and nature that are so abundant in Canada, however in returning to my home away from home in Taitung, I am happily reminded of what initially attracted me to this place.

I was first drawn to Taitung 16 years ago by a surfer friend I met in Kaohsiung who was working as an engineer building ships for Lloyds. He drove every weekend from coast to coast and would throw a hammock between two trees to sleep, and then surf all day. What a lad! We had quite a time exploring the empty surf breaks, hanging out with friendly local surfers, and simply enjoying the area. When my wife and I decided to have kids, I wanted to bring them up outside of the city with space to play and explore. Since I first lived here we rented a place in Kenting and that was our escape from city life, but after visiting the Donghe area I fell in love again! I love the beaches

and surf spots here and it seemed to me to be the most beautiful area in Taiwan for someone like me who is attached to the ocean and wants to raise a family surrounded by nature.

However, working in Kaohsiung and having another home in Duli, Taitung County was difficult. The travel (before the nice new tunnel and highway) was strenuous, keeping clean two houses and caring for 3.6 fens of land is not easy on top of running a restaurant and raising two kids. Fortunately, we had my wife's family to support us and help with our kids growing up. We finally closed “General Panchos,” our Mexican restaurant in Kaohsiung after ten years of business, in favor of selling paella in the Ruifeng night market. What might seem a strange move was the correct one, our Z Paella business boomed, we had very little costs and it gave my wife Erika, who previously managed our restaurants, more time to focus on our kids. We all moved out to the Duli farm so our boys could go to school here and I worked weekends in Kaohsiung. Life is hard work but fun and we love it here in Taitung!

Family Fun

Our little farmhouse has everything we need, a lovely view of the ocean, friendly locals, and plenty of room for two growing boys to play and explore. When the kids were younger, they played on their go-karts and rollerblades while we prepared dinner, these days it’s basketball. And that’s all just at home, but a few minutes away there are beautiful beaches, mountains, and rivers to escape the heat on a summer day. We often swim, surf and SUP at Duli Beach, and the view is even better from the ocean looking back across the blue of the Pacific to the luscious green mountains. As well as watersports, the kids both skateboard, my eldest plays on the school baseball team, and the younger likes karate. As a family we ride our bikes, go snorkeling, fly kites on the beach and take the dogs for long walks. We often have a picnic with friends at Stone Umbrella Beach where the kids love jumping off the rocks. A short but strenuous hike through the majestic scenery along the Malalou Trail is rewarded by yet more big rocks to jump off, but it is dangerous. Please consider your physical and mental condition before taking the plunge.

As usual Helix is up to his neck in it

Fun in the River

More than Just Surfing

As well as enjoying time with family and friends I also have my own passion projects, some of which relate to work, but others are purely for the fun of it. Surfing is what first brought me here, and remains one of my favorite things to do, but I also love to do woodwork; and built a smokehouse where I smoke all the bacon for the paella. We attempt to garden and grow vegetables along with our fruit trees with varying success. Eating your own homegrown vegetables is highly satisfying, and as a chef, I have a great appreciation for quality organic produce. I've always been a dreamer, I believe we all need to have a realistic dream to work on in our lives, and secretly I would really love to get back into the left seat of an airplane. I trained as a pilot in British Columbia before coming to Taiwan and I've always wanted to build my ultra-light airplane. That dream may never happen, but the great thing is, living in Taitung, it won’t matter, because I’ll be too busy enjoying life and having fun!

Life on the Farm River tracing in beautiful mountains

Our Paella

Taitung Experiences

So Many Ways to Have Fun

In 2020, the Taitung County Government launched the “Cross-generational Bilingual Training Program” with the aim of developing in-depth travel experiences in Taitung for international visitors. Through workshops and training programs, participants throughout Taitung learn how to create attractive itineraries and to introduce their communities in English.

In this edition, we focus on activities and experiences that give insight into Bunun culture.

1 Haiduan Township's Bunun Cultural Museum 海端鄉布農族文化館

2 Formosan Trekking Tours 熊出沒企業社

3 Kaiana Workshop 蓋亞那工作坊

4 Wuling Bunun Community Development Association 武陵社區發展協會

1 Bunun Cultural Museum Guided Tour

Haiduan Township's Bunun Cultural Museum 海端鄉布農族文化館

Haiduan Township's Bunun Cultural Museum has a variety of exhibitions, educational activities, and classes about Bunun culture that change yearly. The museum serves as an important cultural landmark in Haiduan. The first floor’s permanent exhibit showcases the different festivals and cultural traditions of the Bunun people, including the variety of traditional crops they grow. Starting in 2021, the museum began to offer English tour services to allow guests from abroad to learn and appreciate more about the wonderful and diverse Bunun culture.

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2 Lisong Hot Spring Experience

Formosan Trekking Tours 熊出沒企業社

Lisong Hot Spring was discovered by accident when Bunun hunters were out hunting in the mountains. The beginning of the trail is mostly a gentle descent. However, the middle section has a steep slope that lasts around 900 meters. Finally, you are greeted with miraculous views of the emerald green rock face and the steaming natural springs below. It is truly a sight to behold. Facebook

3 Kaiana Bunun Dining and Cultural Workshop

Kaiana Workshop 蓋亞那工作坊

Kaiana Cultural Workshop was founded in 2008. The workshop gradually switched from handicrafts to promoting Bunun millet culture. Ibu, who now runs the workshop, spent a year learning about millet culture and how to properly cook the sacred grain. Thanks to the efforts of Kaiana in revitalizing millet culture, guests now have the opportunity to taste the traditional millet cuisine of old. To partake in its consumption is to truly experience the beauty of Bunun culture and its traditional customs.

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4 Wuling River Tracing Experience

Wuling Bunun Community Development Association 武陵社區發展協會

The trek leaders will separate participants into two groups according to their level of physical fitness and water experience. According to the river conditions, trek leaders will use a variety of different formations to cross the river, such as crab and line formations, for the safest river tracing experience possible. With its clear streams and majestic rock formations, a brisk 30-minute trek into the valley will lead you into a deep blue pool next to a lofty waterfall. Here, you will experience the otherworldly sounds of the Bunun eight-part polyphony.

Enjoy Your Summer Time on Green Island

Designed to help non-Chinese speakers to experience local culture in Taitung, in this section we highlight bilingual businesses on Green Island that are ready, willing, and able to welcome international visitors.

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Lian Celebration Diving B&B 聯慶愛潛水

Besides the diving experience, Lian Celebration Diving B&B also offers a hostel and local tour if you’re interested.

Certificate courses in scuba diving for both basic and advanced levels.

No. 2-6, Fish Port, Ludao Township, Taitung County 951001, Taiwan

+886-933863550

Business Hours : 08:00-17:00

Green Island Chill Station 派吃所冰店

Interestingly, this shop is famous for not only its shaved ice; but also for the façade of the building that looks like a police station!

Shaved ice with mango, shaved ice with chocolate and matcha, and other types of shaved ice.

No. 102-8, Nanliao, Ludao Township, Taitung County 951001, Taiwan

+886-89672896

Business Hours : 09:00-22:30

Airfish Diving Center 飛魚潛水訓練中心

Established in 1998. Customers who are interested in going diving with Airfish Diving Center have to reserve in advance.

A sophisticated scuba diving lesson takes you to the wonderful marine world!

No. 1-2, Fish Port, Ludao Township, Taitung County 951001, Taiwan

+886-89671199

Email: dive.green@msa.hinet.net

Business Hours : 08:00-18:00

Tour Learning Travel Agency 島嶼見學

Tour Learning Travel Agency has been contributing to ecology conservation, cultural inheritance, and local tours through Taitung’s unique resources which meet sustainable development.

Offers in-depth or customized cultural tours in Taitung.

No. 38, Gongguan, Ludao Township, Taitung County 951001, Taiwan

+886-89332168

greenisland332168@gmail.com

Business Hours : 08:30-17:30

Heat & Happy Breakfast 好樂早餐吧

Heat & Happy Breakfast is known for the variety of green onion pancakes, especially the one with tuna and seaweed. Don’t miss out if you’re a breakfast holic!

Green onion pancake with tuna and seaweed, green onion pancake with Korean Spicy chicken, and other traditional Taiwanese breakfast options.

No.51, Zhongliao, Ludao Township, Taitung County 951001, Taiwan

+886-89672166

Business Hours : 05:00-11:00

Tianyuan Seafood Fry 甜園夫婦炸物餐飲專賣店 6

Tianyuan Seafood Fry is a pet-friendly shop that not only offers seafood fries but also provides veggie crispy fries!

Flying fish and fried crab.

No. 17-1, Fish Port, Ludao Township, Taitung County 951001, Taiwan

+886-89672661

Business Hours : 11:00-14:00 & 17:00-20:00

Taitung’s growing number of bilingual venues means that there are now fewer barriers to exploring this county’s diverse cultural experiences and natural wonders.

Photo By 土土少女長肉日記

Great Local Products

Our contributing authors share their recommendations for local products and services in Taitung, ranging from beer to insect repellent!

Highway 11 Craft Beer

The best thing to do on weekend nights is to meet people while listening to LIVE music and drinking homemade craft beer! Try the different authentic flavors brewed by an American and Taiwanese couple in Dulan.

Recommended by Janet Amoranto Cheng

The Sunkissed Farm Fruit Products 都歷陽光農園

“Pineapple Pete” and his wife, Afas, grow delicious pesticide-free passion fruit, pineapples, and Roselle on their beautiful farm near Duli. They sell pineapples to a loyal customer base around the island and produce dried Roselle and jams.

Recommended by Nigel Krauss

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WaGaLiGong Dulan Surf & SUP House & Bar 哇軋力共都蘭衝浪/立槳/酒吧

WaGaLiGong is the original surf shop in Dulan and they have great surf and water sport lessons from a seasoned South African with excellent Chinese and English! Seriously the best burritos in town! The homemade wheat wrap is perfect and the filling is very generous! I always go for the mixed tofu & chicken with extra sour cream and jalapeños.

Recommended by Zeke Peacock

Wild Banana Mosquito Repellent

Harry’s 100% natural insect repellent is made to his unique recipe, and not only smells good, but it works! Ingredients include eucalyptus, lemon, and a hint of vanilla. Harry also handcrafts sturdy bamboo walking sticks.

Recommended by Max Dill

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